A historic north Canterbury pub has been ruined almost beyond repair, to the devastation of its new owners.
Michelle Beri and Lindsey Collins have been friends for more than half their lives, and bought the iconic Waiau Lodge Hotel just last year.
They've been living there while managing the pub and guest accommodation. The 106-year-old pub was known for holding the Wonder Rally motorcycle gathering, and hosted around 250 bikers earlier this year.
Michelle Beri told Paul Henry this morning that following the magnitude 7.8 quake on Monday, the hotel had been "fully fenced off".
They managed to get belongings out, in the face of a "telling off" for going behind the red tape. Many of the rooms are filled with bricks and rubble, and are unrecognisable.
Ms Beri and Ms Collins both experienced the destruction of the Christchurch quakes in 2011, and had moved to Waiau for a fresh start.
"I'm as tough as nuts," says Ms Beri. "You've got to get through, otherwise you're making it harder on yourself. Someone is always in a harder situation than us."
She said the community was still in shock.
"Everyone's okay, nobody's hurt, but you do just see a bit of a change in some of them - they seem to be a bit of a daze."
She said town's recovery was "going to be a long time, if it ever does get better".
Newshub.
